In early autumn, trainer Matt Laurie pondered a crucial option – enter Treasurethe Moment in the Doncaster Mile or wait an additional week for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
The commanding performance by elite filly Sheza Alibi against her Doncaster foes a week back has left him satisfied with passing on Randwick’s iconic mile event.
“It was going to be the Doncaster or this race, one or the other,” Laurie said.
“We felt this was a better race to target, particularly with the likes of Sheza Alibi, who before we made our mind up looked like something special, and she clearly confirmed that in the Doncaster.
“I think we made the right choice in avoiding her.
“We’ve still got a task, but she has been an amazing horse for us and we’re returning to Sydney, she’s unbeaten there, so hopefully it will stay that way.”
Having secured 11 successes from 18 races, Treasurethe Moment highlights Laurie’s superb handling skills.
She proved almost unbeatable at three and shone brightly in spring upon resuming, overcoming Mr Brightside in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) and holding a strong placing against Via Sistina and Buckaroo in the Cox Plate (2040m).
With a targeted light schedule this prep, she heads to Saturday’s Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) third-up, fresh from a polished win in the Sunline Stakes (1600m).
Laurie expects Australian Cup near-miss speedster Pride Of Jenni to set a fair clip for the mile, positioning Treasurethe Moment’s proven stamina as a weapon amid rivals who may struggle under pressure.
“She’s gotten out to 2000 metres and beyond, she has won two Oaks, so she should be able to sustain a good amount of pressure,” Laurie said.
“Pride Of Jenni’s last start effort was outstanding and that big effort can be hard to replicate at times. We’ll be hoping she has already produced her best this prep and maybe she can be found out in this race.
“We’ve made a concerted effort to keep our girl to the mile and only give her a few runs and she’s going into the race in really good order.”
The mare arrived in Sydney last weekend and capped her Queen Of The Turf lead-up with speedy exertions on Wednesday.
According to Laurie, all indicators point to peak fitness, enhanced by her favorable gate three.
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